Virgin Rock Springsure, Queensland, Australia
By TeamThommo on 29-Jul-16. Waypoint GC6TBTD

Heading up to Charters Towers to pick up our new puppy, I saw that I had not completed this Earthcache on my previous trip through here. Decided to clean the plate so to speak so we made a short stop here to complete the answers. I have looked at the night photos in the gallery and wish we could have seen it lit up like that too.

We continued today our tour of Queensland and thereby searched, found and logged this interesting Earth-Cache, part of the Emerald GeoArt.The weather was - said in one word simply best. The good hidden caches and the being on holidays kept us the whole day in a good mood. The cache had good coordinates, and thus was easy to find. The answers were sent.Thanks to TeamThommo for the generation of this nice cache Virgin Rock (with the proper agenda), for leading us here and for showing us this funny location as well as the ongoing maintenance of this cache.PS: Please forgive us the uniform log which is needed due to timing problems - if necessary special actions and happenings are there described where they happened.Greetings from Germany together with the hope to meet somewhere like event or wood. TFTC says H_M_A @ 2. November 2024 @ 12:21 o'clock @ [#22873](https://coord.info/GC6TBTD)

Thanks for bring visit and very interesting awesome

Its amazing to see something different around every corner while traveling this awesome country.We enjoy our travels across the country, and a bonus to see it through the eyes of a geocacher, as it takes us to some wonderful locations.TFTEC

Wow, what a great spot to visit. We arrived at night and managed to see the Virgin Rock lit up beautifully. If it wasn't for geocaching we would never have stopped to see such a spectacle. Have a fave point. Thanks so much for the great EC.

Clearly an image sent from on high down to us and carved into the rock faces.

I was actually up this way late April 2023. My sister was camped here and I brought her other car as the car she was using had broken down and was being towed away. From here I was taken the Emerald airport and flew home, so a very quick visit. Thanks for the cache.

Answers to come. *The generic bit for this trip*We are on our way north for warmer weather. From Victoria to Cooktown, weaving inland and to the coast, caching as we go. No real plans, just taking each day as it comes and enjoying the adventure in our converted ambulance. Thanks to all COs for placing and maintaining caches for our enjoyment.

TFTEC. We meet again in another part of our wonderful country. Another tick off my bucket list and your list of earthcaches around Australia We have driven past here 2 other times without stopping but this year I planned our holiday around staying here. I was not disappointed. The rock looked good at all times of the day. Ill send my answers asap. A great group of campers also made our time here memorable. We sat around in a circle talking and laughing. A favourite from me.

Nice spot for a stop over. Had an Indigenous guy named Daryl Black come around late afternoon for a group chat on the area and its indigenous history which was very interesting.

TFTC - stayed here a couple of nights while getting work done and admiring the rock. Took a drive out to the NP and walked to the skyline lookout. Amazing views but need a high clearance 4WD as track not in great condition!

Stay overnight at the park here. Really enjoyed seeing the rocks lit up after dark. Ive sent my answers to the CO. TFTC

After a storm running through Emerald last night we headed South and saw where the road had been cut hours earlier. Fortunately we made it here to see water cascading off Mt Zamia. Unfortunately we were here in my AWD with little clearance and so wasnt able to reach "Minerva".Another TeamThommo earth cache . Wow, were in the middle of nowhere

Out with Muggle65 today. Thank you for a fun EC

I forgot about this, while I checked on my book. I miss out on logging it. I already sent the answers. There is a really beautiful view and rocks too. Look like Mary Virgin there. fav from me. Thanks for bringing me there.

Answers have sensed to owner. Amazing piece of nature art here. Thank you for bringing us here

We travelled home after QOGM through Springsure and we were happy to stop off to collect the info for this earthcache. It is a special location and we were happy to visit and have a coffee from the nearby coffee van. Thanks Team Thommo for arranging. Fav point alloc. Photo uploaded.

I never been here before and never heard of Springsure. Im so glad I came here to visit. it so beautiful to look Virgin Mary, mountains, gravel road . It so so so amazing view up top wow . I vote for favourite Thank you so much for bring me here and place earthcache. It worth it

After passing this area several times it was enjoyable to be able to do the EC this time. Answers have been sent to the CO.

Quick stop with SJG66 on the way North. Answers sent. TFTEC.

Stopped by with O319 on our way north. TFTC

I completed this earthcache as I headed home to Adelaide after the QOGM events around Longreach.The plan was to be away for about a month. I travelled up to Longreach via Broken Hill, Cunnamulla, Charleville and Barcaldine, camping and finding caches of interest along the way. I am heading back home via Brisbane and the NSW coast to Sydney, then across to Adelaide. However my plans are pretty loose and subject to change, often on a whim!The weather so far has been good, albeit a little warm at times. I am hoping it stays good for the rest of the trip.I have had to be quite selective with the caches I have found as there are so many that I am passing. As a result I have mostly targeted non-traditional cache types, although I have also grabbed a few Trads opportunistically here and there.Thanks TeamThommo for another interesting earthcache, which has contributed to an interesting and enjoyable trip.

Stopped to do your earthcache on my way south. Ashame no time to drive closer to the mountain today.Answers have been forwarded. TFTC

I pulled up for the crew to have a bio break, and thought surely there must be a cache here. I was not disappointed, and learnt more about the area of which I had no idea. I am not a religious man, and that made the connection between rock and virgin even harder to comprehend. But hey, each to there own! Answers have been sent to the owner.

We were on the road today and made a surprise find off this rock while stopping at the nearby coffee van a quick check of our phone told us it was an Earthcache ,we have sent our answers to the CO and have given a Fav point TFTC

What a great location

Some tricky answers but what a spot!

Stayed here overnight so decided to complete this cache this morning. The lights on the hills were great but not very photogenic with my phone. Yesterday we went up to minerva hills np to have a look around. Very impressive rocks.
Thanks for putting this earth cache together

Eighteen years ago I rode past here on a postie bike, travelling from Brisbane to Darwin. I admired the countryside then, and vowed to return some day and spend time amongst the hills.
Well here I am again, but I don't have the time to explore on this trip. Having a dog as a companion stops me from visiting places like Carnarvon Gorge, but it remains on my list of places to explore.
Today I am with CybergranV, heading from FNQ to Melbourne, and we really enjoyed our time at this beautiful park. Gathering the information required to answer the questions, we were seduced by the lady with the icecream van. It just gets better!
Thank you TeamThommo. You take us to some wonderful places. This one gets a favourite point.

During my last caravan trip with TBU2Uwe001, we visited also this earth cache. Answers had been confirmed by the CO.

As it's sometimes hard for us to understand the subject and the questions, we are happy when we made it.

Tft earth cache Team Thommo

We answered the questions for this Earth cache during our caravan trip.

Tft Earth cache, TeamThommo

Thank you Team Tommo for taking me to see that amazing scenery.
And thanks for the approval to log this beaut Earthcache.
Found with Crustyvarmint on a trip from Townsville.

I’m off on my annual 6 week adventure and it is back to Outback Queensland to finish off what I started last time but got interrupted along the way.
It is nice and quiet on the roads this morning and I’m now in QLD and the weather can only get better to what Melbourne is at the moment.
After a beautiful couple of days at Carnarvon Gorge it was time to head to Anakie for a couple of nights.
My trip has now turned pear shaped as my knee has gone again and so there is now no walking for me so if you saw someone hobbling around that was me.
Another spot you drive past and realise to your self that you must come back here one day to head off into the National park for a better look.
A great spot to stop at and take in the view of the range and the formations and of course grab a coffee from the very friendly barista.
Answers sent off to the CO.

Thanks TeamThommo TFTFC

frmen1 and I were on the road again. This was a busy spot. Food/coffee van handy for free campers. We were in awe through the entire area. Beautiful formations for most of our drive from Emerald to Roma. Answers sent to CO. Fav pt for making us stop and admire. TFTC

Thanks TT for yet another nice EC.
Tassie expat and I enjoyed stopping here. Please refer to her submitted answers.

Visited Virgin Rock today. My attempt at answering the questions was sent to CO.

Visited today with Leannem59. Answers sent to CO

Answers submitted.
Goldielover and I are on our way to Emerald to take the dogs to a pet motel. We are heading to Canarvon Gorge tomorrow. Couldn't resist a coffee at the van and to gather some information as well.
Love the views.
TFTEC

We visited Virgin Rock and undertook answering the questions for this Earth Cache. Answers submitted to CO. Not the best day to visit due to it raining but appreciate having a Earth Cache here. TFTEC

Arrived and completed what information was required to answer the questions for this Earth Cache. Answers sent to CO.

Was raining when we arrived , so it was a short stay.

TFTEC

It’s Mega time once again!! Woo hoo!! Love these epic road trips. After an amazing drive up Canberra - Narromine - Cunnamulla - Blackall - Winton - Charters Towers - Townsville. We had a blast at the main event. Now it is time for the trip home - with the plan being chances to explore Bowen, Rockhampton, Emerald, Roma, Lightning Ridge and Dubbo. Will see if the April rains and flooding detour us! Thanks to everyone in the region for the top quality caching. Appreciate your efforts.

Thanks for another great earth cache!

Stopped here with Nibletricecakes on the drive back to Canberra after the Townsville Mega. There was a food van here that had a constant stream of customers, Nice to pick up a real coffee on the road. The answers were collected and confirmed with the CO. TFTEC.

Wow, what a great rock formation, would love to visit this NP but driving to Townsville for the mega, it will have to wait, having just spent a few days in Carnarvon.
I enjoyed learning about the geology and appreciate the effort you have gone to find out some information about this rock face.

Great Northern escape 2022 Day 3. Townsville Mega section Day 3. As I drove north from Dirranbadi to Emerald, I passed several spots, St George, Surat, Roma, Injune & Springsure. The highlight was Surat bridge being open, but the water was only just below road level.

The rock formations in the hills are amazing. t was great to get to stop and have a think about them. Answers ave been sent.

Thanks for the cache TeamThommo

35862.5 TNLN
Visited: World Traveling Gold GC A#6 & 2013 Baldur A#256

**Albida**

On our drive from Carnarvon Gorge to Emerald we took a driving break here.
We had noticed the rock face and incredible geology as we arrived at the area, however this earth cache highlighted a few more aspects of this beautiful area for us. We would love to come back and explore the Minerva National Park.
We have sent out answers to the CO.
It is truly an awesome view!
Thanks TeamThommo
Domsky

Answers sent to CO.

Very interesting geology in the area. Thanks for the lesson and for showing me this place.

Enjoyed completing this earth cache today. Great camping spot. Answers have been sent. Drove through the national park checking out all the lookouts.

An amazing long weekend of traveling around with Crew153 in the mighty Suzee geomobile. After visiting Blackdown NP we headed into Emerald for the night and today we head to Chinchilla. Wanted a pause in the drive, and havbing been "up there" in the past, it was fun to look back from this angle. We actually commented on the Virgin image before realising that's a thing here. Took in the views, stretched the legs, answered some questions. And took a photo.
Thanks TeamThommo for bringing me to this location.
*{Overall find #10055}*

Pprime and I escaped Brisbane for the long weekend for the delayed public holiday for the Ekka. We hit the road to Emerald and back home via Roma.

We were driving past and stopped to check out this one. Spectacular views up to Minerva.

Pprime has sent our answers.

TFTC TeamThommo

My husband and i are on a 8000 km trip from Brisbane to Uluru and this is our second day. We spent last night at Miles and tonight we are staying at Emerald. This cache was on my to do list and wow what a great spot . We gathered the answers and admired this place. This is what i love about geocaching, taking us to places we would never go to. Thank you for taking us here and for this great earth cache. Happy earth caching weekend

Heading to Carnarvon Gorge for 4 days of camping. It was just about lunchtime and I was looking for a place to stop and make a feed. I got excited 10k north when I saw the signs for the rest area ahead because it looked like nice country for a stop. I wasn't disappointed. Wow...what an amazing example of nature's wonder! And yes, even though I'm not religious by any stretch of the imagination, Virgin Rock actually does look lime a depiction of the virgin Mary.
Thank you for placing this earth cache.

Heading south from Clermont today and picked up caches along the way. I parked near GZ and got an ice cream from the nearby van and then set about obtaining the information needed. It certainly is a great sight and I later went for a drive for a different perspective.

Answers sent.

Thanks for an interesting EC, I've given it a FP.

TFTEC TeamThommo

While travelling in Queensland when we were allowed to back in April we visited this site and we were awed by formation, to me more reminiscent of structure in caves than exposed rock, as here. A Team Thommo Earthcache, so familiar to me in Victoria and even more locally in south Gippsland, was another incentive to do this cache. Now we’re stuck in lockdown is the time to catch up with logs, write the logs up and send the required answers that I usually don’t have time to do when travelling. I wonder where you are in your travels at the moment Team Thommo?
Now we can only dream of travelling and remember them via logs, etc.
We passed this on our way while it was lit up in the darkness a few days earlier before visiting the site during daylight. I saw the lights and we presumed it was a mine. I did think it was too late in our day to investigate. I didn’t realise until much later that it would be this natural sculpture.

Amazing rock formations, rivalling some of those at the flinders ranges. Great place to stop for a bite of lunch and to do an earthcache. Teamthommo does it again, finding the best places to make us stop and take in the natural beauty. Tftec

This was our last cache for the day and our overnight camping spot after a day of traveling picking us caches as we go. And what a great spot with the lights on the cliffs at night an added bonus. We slept very well.
We collected the required information and made our observations. Always enjoy a Team Thommo Earthcache.

Enjoyed the view at night while cruising through the area.

A long road trip to Emerald from Brisbane for 2 little turmoils, but they did really well. We were here for the geoart and anything else that we found along the way from Brisbane to Gladstone to Emerald, to Chinchilla and home. This was day 7 of lengthy days caching and driving. This cache was found on our trip from Emerald to Roma.

Answers will be sent to CO soon.

Day 7 of 8 (Emerald to Taroom) of a Queenslander road trip with Kestal, clocking just over 4000km, to tick off boxes for different challenges. After the warm days we’ve been experiencing further north this was our first taste of a cool change headed back south. A bit brisk. Unbelievably, to read the info board we had to venture into a grey nomad washer lady’s laundry complete with his & hers smalls . As for the Earthcache…a spectacular spot. Answers were gathered and sent by Kestal on behalf of us both. Thanks for making us stop, TeamThommo

Day 7 of what has been an epic adventure around Queensland saw us trip from Emerald to Taroom the long way pick up a few caches along the way.

Along the loop we have picked up a few earth caches and this one was another great one that made us stop and take in a great site that we may have not done without the cache placement here. Reading the information sign was a little tricky with a grey nomad deciding that it was the perfect place to do her laundry and hang her bloomers out. We did our best with the questions and answers sent off to the CO. TFTC Team Thommo

# 2356 - Travelling from Brissie to probably Cooktown and back we try to pick up a few caches.

Beautiful place for an earth cache. Was here years ago, but that was before my caching days...

Have sent the answers and hope for the best.

TFTC TeamThommo

We saw this place on Wikicamps and thought it would be a good place to stop for the night. It was even better because this Earthcache is here! Definitely recommend as a free stopover. We walked to the end of the road and admired the rock from below before walking to GZ to answer the questions. It was getting dark by the time we reached the information sign so we answered a couple of the questions and had to wait until daylight to answer the rest. Answers sent to CO. TFTEC.

Nice look around and learnt something I drive past this all the time.

An interesting stop on the way in to Carnarvan Gorge. Thanks for the info and questions to help me "see what's in front of my eyes" more clearly! Answers sent to CO

Day 2 of our little driving holiday
Emerald to Expedition Ranges
not many caches today ...
so glad the CO's had put together a couple of earthcaches in the area
My answers to follow ... hopefully all good
Photo attached
Thanks for the earthcache

We passed by this magnificent feature on our way north during our big lap 2 years ago, so today on an entirely different mission south we stopped by to take it in a little more... I have to say coming from the North I was able to appreciate the "lady" a little more than I could coming from the south but the beauty of the rock does more for me than the lady anyway. Thanks for the Earthcache here TeamThommo, answers sent.

2/1/21 18:40 I drove down to Brisbane late last year starting out on the 26th of December. Turns out my Aunt was hastened in to hospital on the 30th so I couldn’t see in the New Year with her. She made it through the surgery and my brother informed me that the post op complications are now under control so she’ll be into the main wards shortly. So after a subdued New Years I’m driving back to Emerald tocatch up with EatSleepCache for her Granddaughters birthday. I had to stop over at Minerva and pick up both the Earthcaches here although I have to do a bit of further research on the other before logging. I’ve already got the go ahead of the CO to log so here it is. Thanks once more for the Earthcache TeamThommo. Happy New Year! Added Fav point.

My hubby was once a local, growing up in Emerald and driving weekly to Springsure to teach karate! So he is very familiar with this rock formation. But it was great to stop off (even in the rain) and learn something about the geology of the area.

I have been to Springsure many times and never have taken the time to admire this site. Travelling with muggles is fun because I can enlighten them. TFTC

TFTC smile 73
out and about with Hatzoff Roddy C and miss Millie geo dog



Thank you, TeamThommo, for placing this cache for our enjoyment.

Day twelve of my outback Queensland trip and the plan today is to complete an oldie and a couple of earth caches in the Springsure area. I liked both these earth caches as they were a little different and a little fun. I sat at virgin rock for some time just taking in the sheer beauty of the area.
At rock collectors delight I had a fun time just watching the windmill and the water falling on the rocks. It was also nice to see some fossil / petrified trees in the mix of rocks, (this I learnt from a previous earth cache, lol).

But then it was time for my drive up to grab “Minerva”. A 30 minute drive across some definite 4wd roads to get here. When I reached the top what an awesome view, it just spanned for miles, truly amazing, beautiful. Oh the cache, so I wondered off to find the cache and it was in great condition, had a quick read through some of the previous logs, even saw some familiar names in there. I signed and returned as found and then started my drive back down, stopping at a couple of places of interest on the way.
Thank you for placing “Minerva” here and for the earth caches, I really enjoyed the drive around this area today, the excitement of finding an old cache and the beauty that is our outback, a favourite point here.

Thankyou TeamThommo for making our visit to Springsure more interesting and enjoyable. Added to Favourites.

Answers sent
What an amazing likeness Virgin Rock has to it's namesake. Unfortunately we weren't there at night. We also didn't realise just how much it's lit up. (checked out some other's pics). Must be an awesome sight. An excellent earthcache, thanks TeamThommo. Fav from us.

Beautiful scenery.
Thanks for the story.

TFTC

TFTC found with Pattemic

Heading West to escape some of the COVID craziness going on in Brisbane at the moment. An early start was made to fit in a long day of driving to Emerald via Roma, with plenty of caching along the way.

This was a nice spot to stop and stretch the legs, and take in the lovely view. Answers submitted and a swift response received.

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Found at 15:06, thanks for bringing us here  **TeamThommo**. This log is trackable, mention where you saw it.

.........@__,
/|___||_/__________|\
\\_______/_TGQNRV_/
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[:(!] Thanks for an awesome effort.































































Devilish































































Brilliant and Clever































































I like it































































Another one of the list































































TTBLNSL TFTC/TFTH/TFBUH Team Thommo [^]

Found on our journey post QOGM 2019. TFTC and bringing us here.

Pulled in to do this one only to find a caravan parked right in front of info boards, had dogs and their awning out. Some people are so inconsiderate so it's not a dnfs we just couldn't do it

Heading to Emerald from Springsure where we attended an event, I found this earth cache on the way. An amazing rock formation. You can see how it got its name. Answers submitted and approved by the CO.

Lunch stop while passing through. Nice scenery

Grey Nomads travelling in their caravan around Australia. We have been on the road since July 2011 and discovered caching in August 2013. We travel with a bunch of travel bugs belonging to our sons and grand children. Where ever possible, we will maintain your cache as we travel.

Since leaving Rockhampton, via some back roads, there has been a drought of caches, but were quite excited today to come into Springsure and find that there was one traditional near by, and a couple of earth caches. While the traditional was out of bounds (the road was closed) today I sorted the second earthcache.

We camped here overnight, along with about 5 assorted caravans, a wizzbang, and a campertrailer. This morning, I re-addressed the Virgin and gained the answers, which will be sent to Team Thommo.

Had an enjoyable day exploring this area after visiting Emerald for the geoart. Very interesting site and would never have made the trip to the top if it wasn't for Beardman and Wayn0's suggestion to stop by. Very glad we did. TFTC

Tenkae were heading south and we decided to accompany them to Springsure for these caches even though wayn0 had already done them. I can kind of see the virgin in the rock if I squint. We drove past here at night on Friday and the cliffs look spectacular lit up but unfortunately I did not stop for a photo.

Thanks for the cache TeamThommo. This was find #4251.

What a view...very interesting geology. Thanks

On a quick trip south for a wedding...TFTC TT

Answers sent.

Visited this site during a road trip. Lovely area and a nice place to stop. Thank you for this Earthcache.
Cheers

I sure have struggled with this Earthcache as there is very limited information available about it.
It was a great experience to see the rock but I would really love to see it by night to satisfy a curious mind.
Thanks for bring me to this area. TFTC

A very interesting Earthcache to visit and read up about on my way home from the QOGM 2018 & loved the history of the little town of Springsure as well.
Answers have been messaged to CO.

TFTEarthcache TeamThommo

Interesting earth cache.

TFTEC TeamThommo and thanks for taking us here.

Logs signed as
Team PIE
P- Patrol14
I- Imbunda
E- echocage1

We stayed overnight in Emerald and picked up a few caches in town before we headed South to Springsure to do the old cache Minerva and the two earthcaches. We had hoped to make it to Roma tonight but darkness saw us stop at Injune instead.

Thanks to the COs for your hard work in creating the caches and hides we visited today.

While on our way home from QOGM 2018, we (patrol14, Imbunda and echocage1) stopped here to gather info for this Earthcache.

Very interesting location and the view from the top was amazing.

Answers sent to CO for approval.

TFTEC TeamThommo

Quickly stopped here on the way back to Emerald.

TFTC

Georode

I met Selva Girls in Springsure today to travel together to an Event in Barcaldine. Of course we had to do the caches in the area before moving on. What a great spot for an earthcache. The likeness is quite amazing, and we would have driven straight past it if not for the little icon on our screens. Answers have been sent to the CO. Thanks for bringing us here TeamThommo!

I was zigzagging my way to QOGM in Barcaldine. As arranged, I had met up with my regular caching buddy, stortigirls, in Springsure. After visiting the top of the cliffs here to find one of the oldest geocaches in Queensland, we stopped off here to do this earthcache. It is interesting to see how the rock has eroded. My answers have been sent to the CO. Thank you for bringing us to this interesting spot and TFTC

Found on our way to Barcaldine for the QOGM events.

Wow! We were so amazed to see the Virgin Mary when we enlarged our pics. Such a cool landscape here! Answers have been sent to CO.

Thankyou for this earthcache TeamThommo.

Having spent the last few days hiking in Carnarvon Gorge it was time to move on. This gave me a great excuse to stop and ponder over different type of rock formation and its imaginative similarity TFTC Team Thommo

When I saw a tractor at the lunch stop I thought there might be a physical cache there. I don’t like tractor caches. So imagine our delight to find an EC. Thanks for setting it up. Answers to follow. TFTC TeamThommo. Found 8/9/18 1:34 pm. Cache 1571 for us.
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Found and logged using the Cachly app for iPhone.

We stopped and had lunch here on our way to Carnarvon Gorge
It certainly is an impressive natural feature.
TFTEC

Stopped here a number of time but finally went for a drive to the lookouts